Where are we?

Nkayi is situated in Matabeleland North Province. At the moment the programme focuses mainly on two wards: the Philip and Nkalakatha wards and two communities: Dakamela and Zinyangeni.

The population of Nkayi is 111,118 as at the 2002 census with an average growth rate of 3.5% per year. Generally the people are heavily dependant on subsistence farming and cattle rearing to sustain their livelihoods. Nkayi, like much of rural Zimbabwe, has experienced severe food shortages, resulting in malnutrition, poor health, and like elsewhere in Zimbabwe is also vulnerable to HIV and Aids.

Why are we there?

Hunger is the number one health problem in the world, killing more people than any other health related challenge. In Zimbabwe 34% of people are undernourished and will go to bed hungry. This equates to over 4 million people.(World Food Programme)

In 2009 there were 1.2 Million people living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe – that’s an estimated 1 in 12 people and 83,000 deaths.
(UNAIDS)

Maternal health figures are unacceptable with 1,300 women and 2,800 girls dying each year due to pregnancy-related complications whilst 26,000 - 84,000 women and girls will suffer from disabilities caused by complications during pregnancy and childbirth each year.
(USAID)

In rural areas such as Nkayi, 60% of water pumps are broken and an estimated 2.1 million people do not have access to improved water sources. Not only does this encourage the spread of water borne diseases, it also affects food security in times of drought.
(UNICEF)

30% of the ruralschools buildings in Matebeleland Land North are inadequate as learning and teaching environments.
(Boithatelo Mnguni PED)

How are we bringing change?

Eightytwenty Vision has been working with the people of Nkayi, Zimbabwe since 2009, helping the people to increase their capacity to sustain themselves and their communities.

Two bores have been installed in the Dakamela and Zinyangeni demonstration gardens. This not only supports the training of conservation farming, it also provides the wider community with clean drinking water. This diminishes the chances of infection from water borne diseases.

A doctor has been working in the Nkayi district since May 2010. While he is based at the Nkayi District Hospital, he travels each fortnight to the Dakamela and Zinyangeni Clinics to diagnose, deliver treatment programs ands conduct counselling with community members. The doctor treats on average of 100 patients per visit with a program focus on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

Mortuary refurbishment at Dakamela clinic

Formed support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS – a total of 46 community members have been trained (34 women and 12 men)

Refurbished ablution blocks at Dakamela and Zinyangeni clinics and constructed new ablution blocks at Nkayi District Hospital for the mothers waiting shelter

Following the refurbishment of the Dakamela clinic, the birth rates increased from 18 in 12 months to 37 in 2 months – with an average of 18 births a month.

Why is this important?

Due to the distances and lack of reliable transport in rural Zimbabwe, women are encouraged to go to their nearest hospital or clinic two weeks before their due date and wait there to give birth. The deterioration of the health system in the past decade has meant that women are required to bring their own food, in many instances there are no beds and limited shelter. Women who do go to the hospital to give birth sleep on the floor. This has led to an increase in the number of women who choose to give birth at home and can lead to many complications during birth, often due to lack of medical assistance, clean water, poor sanitation and other pre-existing medical conditions such as tuberculosis, cholera, HIV/AIDS and anaemia.

What was done?

Internal and external walls were plastered and painted

Concrete floors were patched

Window panes were fitted

Doors were fitted

32 mattresses and blankets were provided

4 rechargeable lamps were provided

This area of work involved in the refurbishment of 6 Primary Schools, working to restore the classrooms to a safer environment for learning and teaching. The community rallied to provide the labour for the patching of walls and floors, the replacement of doors previously eaten by termites, the installation of new windows broken after years of neglect and the painting of the buildings.

What was done?

130 bags of concrete

330L paint

Treated timber doors and handles

Blackboard Paint

224 window panes

90kgs putty

Provision of 900 textbooks

Provision of school fees for 3 students per school

Annual soccer competition organised and 60 soccer balls were provided

School Development Committee training workshop conducted with 14 community members highlighting the need for school development committees to assist in capital works, student care and community liaison. All six Primary Schools now have School Development Committees where the community is represented by a committee of local parents.